The Bauchi State Police Command has rescued two 13-year-old girls who were allegedly taken from their community in Taraba State and arrested two suspects linked to the case in Kirfi Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
The victims, identified as Aisha and Zainab, had reportedly been missing since March after leaving their homes in Fangari Hamlet, Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, the breakthrough followed a complaint lodged on March 10, 2026, by the father of one of the girls, who reported that his daughter and her friend had disappeared and could not be located despite efforts by their families.

Police investigations and intelligence gathering later led operatives to Bara Town in Kirfi LGA of Bauchi State, where the two girls were found.

The statement said preliminary findings revealed that two suspects, Auwal Muhammad and Abdulgaffar Musa, both aged 20 and residents of Unguwar Zangoma in Bara Town, allegedly conspired to take the minors from Taraba State to Bauchi State without the consent of their parents.

The suspects were subsequently arrested, while the rescued girls were placed under police protection pending their reunion with their families.

The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation and prosecution.

Speaking on the development, Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, reiterated the command’s commitment to combating crimes involving children.

“The Command will not tolerate any act of child abduction or exploitation. Parents and guardians should monitor their children closely and report any suspicious movement to the nearest police station,” he said.

The police command assured residents that it would continue efforts to protect vulnerable persons and ensure that perpetrators of child-related crimes are brought to justice.

Two suspected cultists have been wounded during an exchange of gunfire with Operatives of the Delta State Police Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU.

Twenty-five suspected cultists were also arrested by the operatives, while others escaped the crime scene. 

The suspects were arrested at their initiation ground in the early hours of June 16, DAILY POST reports. 

The Police also recovered one (1) pump-action shotgun and one (1) cut-to-size firearm from the suspects. 

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, confirmed the report in a statement sent to Our Correspondent in Warri. 

The Police Image maker said the suspects were allegedly linked to recent killings in Agbor Community in the State. 

“Acting on credible intelligence in the early hours of 16 June 2026, operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) stormed a suspected cult initiation ground at Agbarho following intelligence that members of the Eiye Confraternity, allegedly linked to recent cult-related killings in Agbor, were planning further acts of violence and the initiation of new members.”

According to SP Edafe, “Upon arrival at the location, the operatives came under gunfire from some of the suspects. The police team responded professionally, during which two of the suspects sustained gunshot injuries.”

He explained that, “The operation resulted in the arrest of twenty-five (25) suspects, while several others fled the scene. 

“Exhibits recovered during the operation include one (1) pump-action shotgun and one (1) cut-to-size firearm.”

SP Edafe noted that, “The injured suspects are receiving medical treatment.”

He also said, “Investigation is ongoing.”

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command’s Anti-Cult Unit, CACU, have arrested seven suspected cultists and recovered one double-barreled gun, two live cartridges and illicit drugs from them. 

The suspects were arrested in a criminal hideout in Azagba-Ogwashi, on 14 June 2026, DAILY POST can report. 

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, confirmed the development in a statement in Warri. 

Edafe said, “Operatives of the Command Anti-Cult Unit (CACU), acting on credible intelligence, raided a suspected criminal hideout in Azagba-Ogwashi, on 14 June 2026.

“The operation led to the arrest of seven (7) suspected cultists namely: Obore Ndubrisi (26), Okafor Okene (25), Odinigie Sunday (26), Okohur Destiny (21), Felix Abraham (25), Aputa Israel (27), and Okolie Chinonso Peter (24).”

According to SP Edafe, “Exhibits recovered from the suspects include one (1) double-barrel gun, two (2) live cartridges, quantities of substances suspected to be Indian hemp and Tramadol, as well as a walkie-talkie. 

“The suspects and exhibits are currently in police custody while profiling and further investigations are ongoing.”